Terrance Simien and
the Mallet Playboys
Creole for Kids
Beadhead Records – 1802
released - 4/30/2002
visit Terrance's website
and on myspace
also available on amazon
The band, the album cover,
and the title are not the original
This is an example of a CD that has a true split personality, or in the psycho speak of today is bipolar. On the one side you have the spirited and flowing music of Terrence Simien: That rich and expressive voice (arguably the best voice singing Zydeco today), and the fluid and emotive music that comes forth from his band of merry men that has spent years together honing their craft. For those of you that have heard him before you know what to expect and won’t be disappointed. For you that have virgin ears to his sound please do not be put off by the spoken word that is here. The reason I call this bipolar is the wooden and unexpressive voice of Louisiana State Senator Donald Cravins. What he is attempting to do is noble, correct, and educational, it is a shame he has not the presence to carry it off. The information he is attempting to impart is informative and of value, however he reads the material in a very unemotive voice. In his defense he is a Creole and has a radio show dedicated to Zydeco music, and knows what it is that he is speaking about. It would have been better to have a personality that is more accustomed to reading with an expressive voice do it in an exciting manner that still imparts the necessary meaning. Back to the music There are several new songs that Terrance penned to go with the story and some of those are outstanding. Of great interest is ”Song of a Creole Slave,” which needs to be lengthened because it shows off his voice so beautifully. The message of the ending song on the disc explains the reason this great amount of time was devoted from the heart to this project. This song, ”Take Care of the Children,” has the potential in this time to become an anthem. It begins to show the reason this singer devotes so much of his time to the young of this world and spends many unpaid hours in the schools.
songs and writers
1 narration
2 Song of a Creole Slave – T. Simien
3 narration
4 Oldest Living Tree - T. Simien
5 narration
6 Creole Mardi Gras Run – T. Simien
7 narration
8 Midland Two Step – Amedé Ardoin
9 narration
10 Zydeco Extravaganza – R. Robinson
11 narration
12 Take me to the Trail Ride – T. Simien
13 narration
14 Oh My Lucille – Clifton Chenier
15 narration
16 Wishin’ to go Crawfishin’ – T. Simien
17 narration
18 Creole Recipe – T. Simien
19 narration
20 Take Care of the Children – T. Simien
Musicians
Terrance Simien – vocals, accordion, producer
Danny Williams – keyboards, vocals, producer
Ralph Fontenot – rubboard (frottoir)
Nick Lewis – bass
Dany Devillier – drums, percussion
Glenn LeBlanc – guitar
Grandpa Matthew Simien – guest vocals (6)
Marcella Simien – guest vocals (6)
Cynthia Simien – producer